The end of this bad habit seems to be near, as more and more organizations set rules against smoking and new taxes are imposed on cigarettes.

According to YourHub.com, the Exempla Lutheran Medical Center from Wheat Ridge, Colorado, will become tobacco-free on July 3.

This initiative is meant to continue the fight against smoking and demonstrate that Lutheran’s mission is to protect its communities. Bob Malte, Lutheran President and CEO said that, being a healthcare organization, they were responsible for keeping a healthy environment and promoting a healthy way of living.

This means that the new policy will include the Exempla Lutheran Medical Center campus as well.

Beginning with July 3, all patients, visitors and all employees will not be allowed to smoke near the hospital or on the campus, including in their personals cars.

35 hospitals from Colorado, including all the Exempla Healthcare hospitals, Denver Health Medical Center and University Hospital, will have implemented anti-tobacco policies by January 2009.

According to the EmpireStateNews.net, The American Lung Association of New York State and local tobacco control advocates were very satisfied with the new additional excise tax on cigarettes.

The tax will increase with $1.25. The present of $2.75 is the highest tax of all the nation’s states.